Twomey talks progress during chamber meeting

Macomb Schools' superintendent spoke in some detail about the current changes to the school system at the Chamber of Commerce's government affairs committee meeting on Thursday.

The meeting provided Superintendent Mark Twomey a venue to describe the strategic goals the school district will be implementing his year. The superintendent said that he would like to see the school district create new partnerships with the business district and spread out to the working community of Macomb.

Additionally, new state standards that have been set for districts are proving to be more rigorous than previous standards. Forty-five states have adopted the new standards to fulfill the overarching goal of preparing students for college and careers.

"We have a better understanding that we're not going to prepare every student for a four-year university," Twomey said. "We know that. We're also not preparing students very well for entering the workforce."

Those graduating high schools should be prepared to enter a college without remediation or be able to enter the workforce with the skills they need to succeed, according to the new goals set by the state.

New standards also redefine how tenure is approached by school districts by setting up a new method on how staff is evaluated. Staff is sorted into four categories — excellent, proficient, needs improvement and unsatisfactory — and then lined up by seniority.

Those staff found in the needs improvement and unsatisfactory will be at risk of termination if the school makes cuts to make room for a teacher that may fall under the proficient or excellent categories.

Training for principals has also been upped tremendously, the superintendent said, requiring 45 hours of seat time to complete the course.

Twomey also touched on the state cuts which is providing more than $1.5 million less over last year for schools. He said that part of the way the schools will have to make up the difference is through negotiations between school administration and staff.

"We have to react to the reality of the world we're facing," Twomey said. "Historically, this district has taken care of its teachers within the system … we started teacher negotiations … and we came to an impasse."

Twomey is also inviting the entire community to come talk about what can be done through two forums that will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 1 and Nov. 7 at the Fellheimer Auditorium at the Macomb High School.

Career focused?

"The days of a high school kid just walking over and getting a job at (Caterpillar) and making 50 to 60 grand per year are over," Twomey said of the new standards needed to get into the workforce. "The jobs that remain… say they have to have some basic skills including reading for information and basic math. What we know as a K-12 institution is we're failing in these areas."

Twomey said a solution to this problem could be a close partnership with the business community to decide what skills the workforce is requiring. He said that the school district needs to stop blaming the parents and start taking responsibility for failing to teach students the skills they need.

When the skills that students need for the work force are identified, Twomey said, then it's up to the schools to give the skills to the student. A more prescribed education may be one solution, he said, which would limit choices for students who fall into a certain category.

Mayor Mike Inman suggested that skills like welding, a skill desired by companies like NTN-Bower, be brought back into the school system.

Twomey said that was a good, but pricey idea. Partnerships with a business that have the welding facilities could be a solution to get students the experience they need for a program, Twomey suggested.

Downtown and Community Outreach Coordinator Sarah Wallick also suggested a shadowing program that could get students experience they could take into the workforce. Again Twomey said that business partnerships would need to be cultivated to make such programs feasible.

Other business

McDonough District Hospital CEO Kenny Boyd asked the committee to brainstorm future guest speakers for future meetings and reminded members to register for the legislative luncheon, which will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at the Macomb Country Club, as seating is limited.

Committee members suggested that the venue be changed to allow for more seating. Wallick said other venues will be considered.

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